Pages

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Trusting In The Blood Of Christ

Is the world going mad? I sometimes wonder. Yesterday the US Supreme Court ruled that to maintain that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman is not consistent with the US Constitution. In response to this, one of the judges who dissented from the majority opinion, Justice Antonin Scalia, condemned the haughty way supporters of gay marriage who regard those who seek to defend "traditional" marriage as somehow enemies of the human race. But one has to ask: what is happening to the human race?

Abortion, manipulation of newly-conceived human life, euthanasia, gay marriage, permissiveness, governments becoming more tyrannical every year, debased culture, despite all the euphoric statements of a brave new world dawning upon us, hopelessness is growing. Suicide is increasing, our young are lost. One has to ask, is the world falling apart? Some think that this is the greatest of all ages. Now it seems we can do what we like and there is nothing to stop us - we may even kill another person if their existence limits our ambitions or desires. Yes, things have got out of hand, but then again, what do you expect in a joint run by fallen human beings?

We are sinners, and as sinners we are capable of dreadful things, murderous things. For a long time prevailing opinion has seen human beings as majestic, good, pure, ethereal - yes we can be; but we can be downright bad too. Often denied and now ignored, the doctrine of Original Sin is not only true, but easily proved in a twinkling of an eye. The world is as we have made it. So it's no surprise we end up in such times - these times come when men and women turn their backs on the source of all goodness: God himself. Rebellion against him and the laws he has laid down for right living have landed us in a mess. At the moment many do not see this as a mess - well, just give it time. As with every bad idea foisted on us by the rebels, bad things happen and then they cause more problems by trying to deal with the bad things in a way that is easy and consistent with their ideas. And then what happens? A bigger mess.

These human beings, sometimes they are more trouble than they are worth! Or are we? Well, Our Lord didn't think so.

When I was in seminary one of my classmates, a very late vocation, once said: "Well, Christ didn't die for nothing". Now that got me thinking, and what a wise thing to say. As we survey the desolation we can say that to ourselves - Christ saw this, and even this is somehow wrapped up in his compassionate Heart and was factored in to the sacrifice he made for us. So friends in the US, do not lose heart, Christ did not die for nothing - he died because of this. We may well be saying that in a couple of weeks here in Ireland when our government passes the death penalty for unborn children. All of this and even more besides was the cause of Christ's death, and that death was more than enough to expiate for a million more crimes, and more again. And in that death we see a hope that will clear this mess away and offer us salvation. No matter how bad things get, we always have the Blood of Christ, and we must trust in that.

As followers of Christ we must testify to this, and live the hope Christ has won for us in his death. Will the world or the rebels understand us? Probably not - not even people within the Church understand the true nature of the Gospel of Christ's sacrifice - but that should not stop us. If we hold firm, then we will be saved, and perhaps help bring a few others along with us.

Novena to the Holy Family for the Cause of Marriage and Family Life in Ireland

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

Holy Family of Nazareth,

we bless and venerate you.

We commend to your care and protection

the cause of marriage and family life.

May the peace which reigned in your home

take possession of all hearts and abide in all families.

Confirm all men and women in the truth

so we may recognise what is good and right

and reject all that hinders life

and the true flourishing of humanity.

Guide the hearts of all citizens

that we may witness to the truth

in forming the laws governing our society.

Bless those who work for the protection

of marriage, family and life.

O Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

Holy Family of Nazareth,

We entrust our hearts and our lives to you.

Amen

Novena To Blessed Paul VI For A Miracle For An Unborn Baby Boy

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the witness of your Servant, Blessed Paul VI, who served you and the Church as Universal Pastor in difficult times.

As a pilgrim among pilgrims he sought to reveal the beauty and joy of the Gospel to the men and women of his time, choosing the way of gentleness and forbearance.

As Shepherd of the flock he sought to proclaim the truth in a time of great confusion in imitation of his patron the Apostle to the Gentiles.

As Servant he proclaimed the Gospel of Life and in doing so bore the cross of suffering and isolation in union with your Crucified Son becoming a Prophet in the midst of the growing culture of death.

As we beseech you to raise your Servant to be numbered among the Saints, may his example of faith, courage and patient endurance inspire us in our daily living of the Gospel and in our witness to Jesus Christ.

May we too be Prophets of life, respecting, protecting and cherishing the gift of life, most especially in its most vulnerable moments.

May we too be your missionaries at this time, seeking to transform the hearts of all men and women through the joy we find in Christ.

Hear our prayers, most Merciful Father, and grant us through the intercession of Blessed Paul the graces we now ask that you may grant a healing of baby Paul.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.

Blessed Paul VI, pray for him

Prayer For Christians In The Middle East

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour of the world, look upon our brothers and sisters in the Middle East, who proclaim your Name and live your Gospel in the midst of persecution, strive and martyrdom. Save them, we pray, protect them, and hear our prayer that peace may come to the Land you graced with your presence.

Pro-Life Novena to St Gianna

Saint Gianna,
Wife, Mother, Doctor and exemplary Christian,
intercede with Christ, our Lord of Life
to help us in these times to proclaim the Gospel of Life;
to bring to an end the evil of abortion
and the conversion of those who promote it;
to help and console those women tempted to do it,
and to heal those who have had one.
Watch over Ireland in these critical days.
Amen.

Three Hail Marys.

About Me

Fr John Hogan, OCDS, a Secular Discalced Carmelite priest serving in the Diocese of Meath, Ireland, is the founder and current Father Director of the Fraternity of St Genesius, an international association of prayer for those in the arts and media. He co-hosts the television series "Forgotten Heritage" on the Eternal Word Television Network.

St Genesius

Fraternity of St Genesius

Become a Missionary From Your Own Home

Assist the Church in her mission of evangelisation to those in the cinema and the arts. As a member of the Fraternity of St Genesius, you can be a missionary through your prayer, uniting yourself with men and women all over the world. In this International Family of Prayer, you can have a part in the New Evangelisation. For more information go to http://www.stgenesius.com/.